City Council

BOROUGH OF BARRINGTON MINUTES OF MONTHLY COUNCIL MEETING April 12, 2022, at 6:00 PM COUNCIL ROOM AT MUNICIPAL BUILDING A regular monthly Council Meeting of the Borough of Barrington was held with Mayor Harris presiding. CALL TO ORDER Mayor Harris called the meeting to order with the following statement: "This meeting is held in compliance with Chapter 231 of the open public meetings act of 1975 and appropriate notice has been given. Notice of the meeting was filed with the Retrospect and Courier Post and is also posted in the main office of the Borough Clerk where notices are primarily kept. She then led everyone present in the Pledge of Allegiance. ROLL CALL The Municipal Clerk called roll of Council with the following in attendance: Council President Beach, Councilman Cerrito, Councilman Drumm, Councilman Hanson and Councilman Robenolt. Mayor Harris, Municipal Clerk Terry Shannon and Timothy Higgins, Solicitor, were also on the dais. Councilman Ludwig was absent. PROCLAMATIONS OF THE MAYOR: Proclamation for National Child Abuse Prevention Month was read by Councilman Cerrito. Present from Prevent Child Abuse New Jersey was Pamela Stalcup who accepted the proclamation and spoke about child abuse and their mission to protect and nurture children. Proclamation for Autism Awareness Month was read by Councilman Drumm. Mayor Harris read a proclamation declaring April 12 as Cody Bruner Day in Barrington and naming him as Honorary Mayor for the day. Cody and his family were present, and Cody stood alongside the Mayor. Bobby Daley, Barrington resident and U. S. Marine, sent a congratulations tape to Cody which was viewed on a laptop. Proclamations were presented from Barrington Borough, the NJ State Legislature, and the Camden County Commissioners. Gifts were presented to Cody from - Mayor & Council, Barrington Police Department, Department of Public Works, Barrington Fire Company, Barrington Ambulance Squad, and the Tax Office. Cody was advised that the Wish Upon a Star basketball court will be re-named “Cody’s Courts.” Mayor Harris spoke about Cody’s accomplishments with Special Olympics and also about the young man Cody has become and that he knows everyone in town and everyone knows him. Cody thanked everyone and said that he wears his necklace in honor of his dad. Cody’s mother spoke and thanked all of Barrington for their love and support—she has always felt that Cody was safe and loved in Barrington. She thanked everyone on behalf of Cody and his brothers, who were also present. Mayor Harris spoke about how hard everything was for Cody when Covid hit--Cody desperately wanted the park back open so they could play basketball. Many kids from all over town are so glad Cody was honored! RESOLUTION FOR APPROVAL: 4-2022-67 Appointing Kieran McKeown as a Class II Special Police Officer On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, the resolution was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. Mayor Harris administered the Oath of Office to Officer McKeown whose mother held the bible as he was sworn in. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Mayor Harris reported that council was provided with the minutes of the March 1, 2022, caucus meeting and the March 8, 2022, council meeting and asked if there were any corrections or abstentions. On a motion by Beach, second by Drumm, the minutes were approved by all members of Council present with Councilman Robenolt abstaining on the March 8 minutes. COMMITTEE REPORTS The Municipal Clerk read a summary of the March 2022 monthly reports from the following departments: Police, Fire, EMS/Ambulance, Regional Fire Alliance, Tax & Sewer Collector, Court Administrator report for February, Construction, and Trash and Recycling. On a motion by Cerrito, second by Beach, the monthly reports were approved as submitted by all members of Council present. ORDINANCES FOR PUBLIC HEARING AND ADOPTION: The Municipal Clerk read the following ordinance by title. Ord. 1150 Adding Certain Sections to Chapter 128, Zoning, in the Borough Code, Pursuant to an Overlay Zone in the Clements Bridge Road Redevelopment Plan, Phase III On a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito, the second reading of the ordinance was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the public hearing was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Hanson, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Hanson, second by Drumm, Ordinance 1150, was adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. Ord. 1153 Amending Sections 128-28 and 128-29 in Article IV, Manufacturing Districts, in Chapter 128, Zoning, of the Borough Code On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the second reading of the ordinance was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. On a motion by Drumm, second by Hanson, the public hearing was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Drumm, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, Ordinance 1153 was adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. Ord. 1154 Amending Chapter 58, Fees, in the Borough Code (raises hall rental fees) On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the second reading of the ordinance was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. On a motion by Hanson, second by Cerrito, the public hearing was opened. Seeing no comments from the public, on a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the public hearing was closed. On a motion by Hanson, second by Cerrito, Ordinance 1154 was adopted with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION ON FIRST READING: The Municipal Clerk read the following ordinances by title: Ord. 1155 Calendar Year 2022 Ordinance to Exceed Municipal Budget Appropriation Limits and Establish a CAP Bank (N.J.S.A. 40A:4-45.14) Ord. 1156 Fixing the 2022 Compensation of Certain Officers and Employees of the Borough On a motion by Drumm, second by Beach, the ordinances were approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes. These ordinances will be considered for adoption following proper notice and a public hearing to held during the May 10, 2022, council meeting. RESOLUTION CONSENT AGENDA The Municipal Clerk read the following resolutions to be approved by consent agenda: 4-2022-57 Awarding a Contract to Asphalt Paving Systems for the 2021 Roads Program 4-2022-58 Awarding a Contract to Bellmawr Truck for Purchase of a Used Trash Truck 4-2022-59 Awarding a Contract to Pyrotecnico for the 2022 Fireworks Show 4-2022-60 Refunding a Homestead Credit to the NJ Division of Taxation 4-2022-61 Refunding a Homestead Credit to an Exempt Veteran 4-2022-62 Resolution Revising Council Committee Assignments 4-2022-63 Certification of Compliance with the US EEOC Guidance on Consideration of Arrest and Conviction Records in Employment Decisions 4-2022-64 Approving the April Bill List in the Total Amount of: $1,329,274.89 4-2022-65 Authorizing Self-examination of the 2022 Municipal Budget 4-2022-66 Introduction of the 2022 Municipal Budget On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the resolution consent agenda was approved with the following poll vote: Beach-yes, Cerrito-yes, Drumm-yes, Hanson-yes, Robenolt-yes except for Resolution 4-2022-62, on which he abstained. PUBLIC PORTION On a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was opened. Mayor Harris advised that if you have comments or questions to come forward and state your name and address for the record. Public comment is limited to five minutes per person. Ian Munzenberger from Haddon Heights stood and there were two calls earlier last month for fire and someone from the Barrington Fire Company was on the radio saying they were in the truck. There was a white jeep wrangler on scene but no fire truck and the other one no response at all. Why are they signing on if they are not responding? Mayor said she would look into it and get back to him. Marge Matthews, Edwards Ave – property at corner of Gloucester Pike and Clements Bridge Road, any way we can approach them to purchase the property. Mayor said we have approached the property owner and he is not ready to sell, he does know that we are interested. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Jennifer Milligan, 102 Lawrence Ave – congratulations to our honorary Mayor Cody. Thanks to Police Chief for listening to her complaints last month about Trenton and Lawrence. The Police presence did its job, more going slower. Thank you for the Child Abuse and Autism proclamations. As an abused child and having family and friends with children who have autism thank you for recognizing these issues. Seeing no more comments from the public, on a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the public portion of the meeting was closed. COMMENTS FROM MEMBERS OF THE GOVERNING BODY COUNCILMAN HANSON – congratulations to Officer McKeown. The Mayor and I along with Chief Minardi and a few officers, attended the graduation ceremony last week; Kiernan was the most awarded candidate, we lucked out and got a good one. Congratulated Cody on his Honorary Mayorship and Cody Bruner Day saying Cody embodies the sense of community we want for our residents in Barrington, and so we would like to offer him to be our Grand Marshall for the 4th of July Parade this year. Barrington Day is Saturday, April 30 from 11am-3pm behind Woodland School. All is free to our families’, games, blowups, snacks, popcorn and snow cones. COUNCILMAN DRUMM – congratulations Officer McKeown. Congratulations Cody, what a special day and thank you; you are a great young man. Weather is getting nice so please slow down and watch for kids on their bikes. Thank you to all for coming out. COUNCIL PRESIDENT BEACH – congratulations to Officer McKeown, I have heard a lot of great things about you including many of your family being brought up in law enforcement. Congratulations to Barrington’s favorite son, Cody. We see you all over town, well deserved to be parade Grand Marshall and to have the courts named after you--that is where I first met you and have seen you there every time I go to the softball fields. You are the face of Barrington now and the Public Works uniform comes with trash cans, you can help with leaves and grass, we can discuss that later! As Councilman Drumm said, with Little League just started back up, there are crosswalks at Clements Bridge Rd. and we are going to upgrade the signs and give notice before the crosswalks to bring attention to motorists. Lots of our kids cross Clements Bridge Rd. and it’s a busy road and you do have to stop for a crosswalk. Please be mindful of the kids. There is a senior dinner April 20 at the VFW/SRC--please contact Eileen to sign up. Happy Easter, stay safe. COUNCILMAN CERRITO – congratulations to Cody, I was grateful to have crossed paths with you, one of your qualities that sticks out to me is your ability to bring happiness to people around you. You bring a lot of positivity and happiness to this world, and it would be great if more people were just like you. Congratulations to Kieran on his appointment, we are glad to have you. Cleanup weekend for Earth Day is April 22, 23 and 24; we need volunteers. If you are interested, please reach out to Eileen Holcombe, or just show up Saturday April 22 and I will be giving out trash bags and gloves. The Green Team meeting is after our meeting tonight, we need volunteers if anyone is interested, all are welcome to attend. If anyone in Barrington has a child graduating from high school this year and going into the service, we will be honoring each individual student at our council meeting on June 14. If you have a son or daughter joining the military, please reach out to me. COUNCILMAN ROBENOLT – congratulations Cody, it’s always nice seeing you down at the fire house. Kiernan, as a Kingston Avenue alum, it’s always good to see someone in town join the Police Department. Thank you. MAYOR HARRIS – welcome Kiernan and congratulations, glad to have you here. Cody it is an honor and a privilege from my whole family to know you. My kids have known you for 18 years and we appreciate you being friends to them. As mentioned, please slow down, we get a great number of speeding complaints; we love our children and don’t have any to spare so please be mindful of that and slow down. Eileen is taking care of the seniors, if you have any concerns or issues please contact her, she will be opening the VFW/SRC soon. We are getting a new bus driver and will have the senior bus up and running. Cody you should stop by, they will want you to teach them something new! We look forward to seeing the “Cody’s Courts” sign go up at the basketball courts and you being Grand Marshall of the parade. Thanks to all my colleagues up here with me who work hard every day answering emails and phone calls. It takes a great team effort every day, all departments including Terry, Denise, Eileen, Meg and Jen and all the tax office staff, DPW, Police, Ambulance, Fire, everyone. Any suggestions or ideas please ask, and we will see what we can do. Seeing no further business to be transacted, on a motion by Hanson, second by Beach, the meeting was adjourned at 6:47 pm. APPROVED: Terry Shannon Terry Shannon, Borough Clerk